There’s a fair bit of content on the Archives site that isn’t strictly owned by CBC, or which was not originally clear for internet use. If a clip contains music, actors, dancers, puppeteers, a script, work by freelancers, photos, artwork, sports footage, video from other networks, etc., etc. – often that requires permissions and sometimes payments to other parties and unions.

When we do clear that stuff for use on our site, we do so for streaming, in part because because many rights holders have flatly refused to allow downloading.

That said, there’s also a fair bit that is straight up CBC content. Outside of copyright and union issues, there are a few technical and political hurdles we have to clear before we can offer downloading (and believe me, we’re looking into it.)

Some of our content has traditionally been sold for home, school or broadcast use, so there are revenue questions to address. There’s also the journalistic question of putting CBC content out there for others to manipulate and possibly misrepresent.

I know most web users don’t care about these concerns, but they do account for some of the traditional reluctance to open up the archives for downloading. (Fortunately, access to an internet connection is becoming less problematic in many places.) I’m happy to say that over the time I’ve been at the Archives, attitudes have changed significantly, and I think we’ll see downloading of at least some content available in the near future. I’m certainly pushing for it!

We’re still trying to negotiate rights for Internet download (podcasts) so it’s really in the rights-holders’ hands.

I have only heard bits but each time I am stuck in my car unable to leave.